Unemployed people throughout the West Midlands have been given new hope with a jump in vacancies – but 19 jobseekers are chasing every available job.

Figures released from the Totaljobs Barometer, which analyses the behaviour of 4.8 million jobseekers and 5,000 recruiters each month, show that the number of available jobs in the West Midlands has jumped eight per cent year on year.

The increase in the number of jobs available has caused a drop in competition, with 19 applications per job compared to 23 applications for the same first three months of 2012. This represents a fall of eight per cent in applications year on year.

The biggest rise in jobs in the West Midlands has been within the accountancy industry, which recorded a 54 per cent increase in roles.

Employers within the education sector were also amongst those to benefit from fresh talent, with the number of job postings rising by 49 per cent, whilst opportunities within the telecommunications industry increased by 43 per cent.

The customer services sector has taken a hit, however, with the number of job opportunities available decreasing by two per cent compared to this time last year.

Roma Aitken, regional manager for totaljobs.com in the West Midlands, said: “A rise in employment opportunities in the West Midlands is to be welcomed and for people who are back in work and earning, there is a sense of well-earned pride.

“The Government’s welfare to work reforms and investments in apprenticeships and vocational training appear to be delivering real results.

“Although a rise in employment opportunities is welcome news, we continue to see a fall in full-time permanent positions, rising underemployment and increases in inactivity.

“The figure for people on Jobseeker’s Allowance in the West Midlands is 6.1 per cent, which is higher than the 4.9 per cent claimant rate for the UK as a whole.”